On the first day of rookie camp, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds issued a lengthy statement further addressing the allegations of sexual assault brought against three players over the weekend, one of whom is Flyers' top prospect Nick Cousins:
"Our hockey program has been working through the various issues that have arisen as a result of the filing of criminal charges against Nicholas Cousins, Andrew Fritsch, and Mark Petaccio Saturday evening. The resultant public and media attention, and the stress which results from such accusations, affects all concerned. Given these affects, the club has decided that is in the best interests of all that all three young men, with their consent, to immediately commence a confidential behavioural wellness program which will help each young man prepare, mentally and emotionally, to deal with living their lives and dealing with the issues and resultant stress, in a stable manner, as this court case works it's way through the legal process. Our club wants to ensure that each of the young men have the proper counselling which will help guide each of them through what is a very trying time. Each player has voluntarily agreed to enter the program. The counselling of the 3 players will be followed up with counselling of the balance of the team to deal with issues arising as a result of the accusations.
Therefore, given that training camp is set to begin this morning we are announcing that Nicholas Cousins, Andrew Fritsch, and Mark Petaccio will not be present. They have not been suspended by our club, but the counselling, at this time, takes priority. The three young men must deal with the ensuing court process, and each young man is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Our hockey program's priority is to develop responsible people first, and hockey players second.
Once the players complete the behavioural wellness program, we will reassess the situation with the intention being that the players will re-join our hockey club. As this program is confidential we will not comment on timelines, nor will we comment on the program directly. We ask that everyone respects the privacy of each of the three young men as they go through it.
This decision is aimed at ensuring that each young man is mentally and emotionally prepared for the many legal challenges ahead. It is also what we feel is best for each young man as a person, and for their teammates."
Petaccio was the only one of the three held in police custody, due to his American citizenship and a belief that he may flee the country. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is directly across a system of locks in between Lake Superior and Lake Huron from partner city Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
"Our hockey program has been working through the various issues that have arisen as a result of the filing of criminal charges against Nicholas Cousins, Andrew Fritsch, and Mark Petaccio Saturday evening. The resultant public and media attention, and the stress which results from such accusations, affects all concerned. Given these affects, the club has decided that is in the best interests of all that all three young men, with their consent, to immediately commence a confidential behavioural wellness program which will help each young man prepare, mentally and emotionally, to deal with living their lives and dealing with the issues and resultant stress, in a stable manner, as this court case works it's way through the legal process. Our club wants to ensure that each of the young men have the proper counselling which will help guide each of them through what is a very trying time. Each player has voluntarily agreed to enter the program. The counselling of the 3 players will be followed up with counselling of the balance of the team to deal with issues arising as a result of the accusations.
Therefore, given that training camp is set to begin this morning we are announcing that Nicholas Cousins, Andrew Fritsch, and Mark Petaccio will not be present. They have not been suspended by our club, but the counselling, at this time, takes priority. The three young men must deal with the ensuing court process, and each young man is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Our hockey program's priority is to develop responsible people first, and hockey players second.
Once the players complete the behavioural wellness program, we will reassess the situation with the intention being that the players will re-join our hockey club. As this program is confidential we will not comment on timelines, nor will we comment on the program directly. We ask that everyone respects the privacy of each of the three young men as they go through it.
This decision is aimed at ensuring that each young man is mentally and emotionally prepared for the many legal challenges ahead. It is also what we feel is best for each young man as a person, and for their teammates."
Petaccio was the only one of the three held in police custody, due to his American citizenship and a belief that he may flee the country. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is directly across a system of locks in between Lake Superior and Lake Huron from partner city Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
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